Turreted boundary walls and gates maintain the medieval aspect of charming town of Treia perched high on a hill, untouched by mass tourism which for its beautifully preserved historical centre has been included amongst the Borghi più belli d'Italia.  The town served as a papal bastion from the top of which you can enjoy fantastic views of the lush surrounding countryside. Along with noteworthy historical buildings, churches and cobbled narrow streets, if you are here in the summer you will also be able to attend to an incredible game dating from Renaissance times – the Disfida del Bracciale ancient ball game, similar to the Basque Pelota,  that is played out on the first Sunday of August. The game itself is spectacular and so is the venue. It is not too different from tennis but instead of racquets, the players use a device called a ‘bracciale’- a sort of wooden cylindrical spiked glove worn over the hand and forearm. A hard leather ball is pounded back and forth between two teams of three players, with a high wall on one side, permitting deflection back into the field of play. The court is very long - around 90m. Scores are the same as in tennis – 15, 30, 40, game – and the first team to win six games is the winner. Before the game  a costume procession is staged  evoking the times of Carlo Didimi, the greatest player of Bracciale. The festival ends with a magnificent fireworks display.